Early findings from a major new study of the mental health of self-employed construction workers and those working in small firms show that intense workloads, financial problems, poor work-life balance and Covid-19 pressures on the supply of materials are combining to significantly raise stress and anxiety levels.

This mainly male workforce has long been known to contain workers who are reluctant to talk about their mental health. Preliminary survey findings from over 300 respondents suggest that almost a third are now living with elevated levels of anxiety each day. Construction workers from a range of trades that are often to hard to reach, from bricklayers, to groundworkers to plasterers, told researchers from Mates in Mind and the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) that the continuing stigma of mental illness prevents them from discussing it beyond close friends or family members.

“We have a real concern that the data shows that sole traders and those working in smaller firms with more severe anxiety were least likely to seek help from most sources. This means that too many construction workers every day are going under the radar and are not seeking support from healthcare professionals or mental health charities,” said Sarah Casemore, managing director of Mates in Mind. “This represents a real hidden crisis which threatens the viability of a major sector of the UK economy and many of those who work in it.”

The study, funded by a research grant from B&CE Charitable Trust, is investigating both the extent of mental health problems in this important workforce and the extent to which new, more accessible, forms of support and guidance on mental wellbeing can be offered to individuals experiencing distress, depression, or anxiety. As reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the suicide rate among construction workers is already three times the national average for men, equating to more than two construction workers taking their own life every day.

Head of HR research development at IES Stephen Bevan, who has led the survey component of the research, said: “We have been concerned to find that so many construction workers are finding it hard to disclose their mental health problems and that these are also causing them to lose sleep, develop severe joint pain and exhibit greater irritability with colleagues and even family members. We are hoping that our upcoming interviews with some of our participants will shed more light on the types of support which they feel comfortable and confident to use.”

Mates in Mind, as a charity dedicated to improving mental health in construction and related industries, will be using the insights from this research to shape a series of interventions to educate, inform and support workers whose mental health is causing problems with sickness absence, an increased risk of accidents at work and, ultimately, the risk of an exodus from the sector. 

Steve Hails, director of business services & HSW at Tideway and chair of the board of trustees of Mates in Mind, said: “This valuable research undertaken by IES, funded by B&CE, confirms what we suspected when Mates in Mind was formed as a charity by the Health in Construction Leadership Group with the vital support of the British Safety Council.

“Those working for the smaller organisations, sole traders or self-employed - the vast majority of workers in our sector - do not have access to the necessary mental health support to allow them to thrive within our industry. The next phase of the research is essential to help us understand what that support should look like and how Mates in Mind can assist with the required improvements.”

Nicola Sinclair, head of the B&CE Charitable Trust, added: “This research from Mates in Mind is incredibly important to the construction industry as it shines a bright light on a very real problem that is often overlooked. The information gathered will hopefully prove to be an important first step in ensuring that all construction workers have access to help when it comes to mental health and stress related issues.

“We are delighted that the Occupational Health Research Award has been put to such good use and we encourage other institutions and organisations to consider applying for the 2022 award before the applications close on Friday 21 January.”

Mates in Mind will be joined by Professor Dame Carol Black on January 20 where the impact of the full research findings will be explored.